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Laser printers cost more to refill than inkjets, though, and can’t print on glossy paper. Compared with the other laser printers we tested for this update—and most models we’ve tested over the past few years—the HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw had an unusually long first-print-out time. When printing via Wi-Fi, it took around 24 seconds from our pressing the print button to the first sheet coming out of the feeder. To put that in context, the Brother MFC-L2750DW spit out its first sheet in 12 seconds, the Canon Color ImageClass LBP622Cdw produced its first print in 11 seconds, and the ImageClass MF269dw was even faster at 7 seconds.
HP’s LaserJet MFP M234dw and LaserJet MFP M234dwe are the same model with the same specs. We didn’t test either because they have flatbed scanners rather than automatic document feeders. It has other features that businesses will appreciate, too, such as duplex printing and a fold-out bypass paper tray for one-off print jobs on different paper sizes. Although the slide-off scanner glass is large enough only for letter paper, the automatic document feeder can handle legal-size documents. Thanks to its USB port, this machine is capable of printing JPEGs, PDFs, and Word files, and it can also save scans as PDFs, JPEGs, or TIFF files.
Best budget color laser printer
Users have many options when it comes to printing because the printer supports Wi-Fi Direct printing, HP ePrint, Google Cloud Print, and Apple AirPrint. Security is a priority when it comes to HP printers, and their HP Wold Pro Security capabilities ensure that you’re safe from any cyberattacks. The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw uses HP 414A/414X toner cartridges that can print more than 2,000 pages.
However, if you send faxes a few times a year, it may be less expensive to use a cloud-based fax service . A printer's speed, or how fast it can print and copy, is measured in pages per minute . Keep in mind that the speed may be reduced if you are printing complex photos as opposed to plain text. The printer market evolves constantly, with manufacturers either introducing better models with new features or basic upgrades.
Best Mono Laser for Offices (Print-Only)
The process takes essentially as long to print a blank page as a page full of text. Most lasers today also offer Wi-Fi for network connection, either as an alternative to Ethernet or as the only choice. Wi-Fi lets you put the printer anywhere without having to worry about stringing cables, but is sometimes tricky to set up.
We've spent dozens of hours testing all the top models so you can find the right laser printer for your budget. Our in-depth laser printer reviews evaluate everything from printing quality and speed to ease of use and operating costs. This model from Brother is a fast monochrome printer and great at printing out black and white products and it’s capable of color scanning, too.
Average all across the board, except the price
City or county-sponsored electronic waste recycling programs make it easy to drop-off unwanted printers, tablets, VCRs, and more. Check with your local sanitation department for where you can turn in these hazardous products safely. A quick internet search with “ e-waste disposal” should bring up relevant information in your town. For example, New York City offers SAFE Disposal Events throughout the year, and also lists permanent drop-off locations across the city. You don’t really need to install any extra software for the HL-L2350DW because it has native Windows and Mac drivers. It also works automatically with AirPrint on iOS, and you can add it with the Brother Print Service on Android.
Users can set up their printer’s Wi-Fi connection using the HP Smart app, but you also have the option to use an Ethernet cable. The app is helpful because it allows you to monitor your toner levels and order a new one. You can rest assured that the printer won’t waste any energy because it comes with HP Auto-On/Auto-Off technology. The printer has a 2-line LCD with a keypad, and some might feel like it’s outdated compared to its rivals.
All in one functions like scanning and copying are included in all of the models on the above list, but one less common function is fax capability. If you work with medical or legal documents, faxing is indispensable, and you'll need a printer that includes it. Printing performance is sharp and faster than average; this printer handles scans and copies quickly, as well. If you want the benefits of a laser printer without the usual expense, the Brother HL-L2390DW is our best budget pick for you. This printer may cost a bit more up front, but the Brother MFC-L2750DW is the best combination of print quality, speed and value we've seen in a laser printer, which is why it's our Editors' Choice. Laser printers have much to offer businesses of all sizes, from sole proprietorships to large corporations, and are worth considering, for some, for home use as well.
Additionally, it doesn't cost much to maintain as the toner cartridge yields a large number of prints and is fairly cheap. The main tradeoff is the lack of a scanner, so you need to be sure you won't need to scan anything. Of course, there is quite a range of laser printers now on offer for consumers to choose from. When compiling this review, this meant we had to narrow down the devices by taking into account speed, longevity, print quality - and cost. Another important consideration was what the printer might eventually be used for.
You can operate this printer over USB if you prefer, but in that case you have to supply your own cable. If you want an Ethernet port for wired Internet, you can upgrade to the otherwise nearly identical HL-L2370DW. The bright, colorful, smartphone-style touchscreen interface is easy to work with, though it isn’t as large as the one on our upgrade pick. A basic inkjet can cost as little as $40, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a laser at that price.
Short of buying an older printer, this affordable Brother makes for a great addition to a home office or small business. It has a lot of the same features that come in more expensive models, such as a 3.7-inch touchscreen for controls, a wireless NFC connection, and a 250-sheet capacity tray. "Recommended duty cycle" is a suggested maximum, sometimes based at least in part on how many pages per month you can conveniently print. For example, a printer limited to a 250-sheet paper tray with no additional tray options wouldn't merit a 10,000-page recommended duty cycle no matter how rugged it is.
It’s also wireless enabled and there’s a wireless assistant built right in to walk you through the set-up – no IT departments needed. While it may be that we run in a more paperless world than ever before, the home office is not yet extinct. Amanda Lauren is a lifestyle writer and digital content creator who specializes in interior design and fashion. She hosts Between The Likes, a talkshow and podcast series on EverTalk, where she interviews well-known designers, breaks down design myths, and shares insight on how to decorate your home.
You can scan to email, a network computer or drive, an FTP server, or cloud apps like Dropbox and Google Drive. Unfortunately, this printer lacks a USB port, so you can’t save your scans directly to a thumb drive. For professional-looking brochures or presentations, you’d probably want to use a printer like our upgrade pick, the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw, or punt the job to a pro print shop instead. Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best laser printers for most people. We've tested over 120 printers, and below are our recommendations for the best laser printers you can buy.
